Do you know how to fix a cracked tooth? All too often, people bite into a delicious snack or fall only to find that one of their teeth have broken. Even something as harmless as eating into a peanut can cause your tooth to crack.
Cracking cannot be ignored as the problem can ramp up drastically in just a few days.
Unfortunately, there is little that can be done to fix the tooth besides seeking the help of a dentist.
However, you can take precautions and follow some trusted advice to reduce any present pain as well as ensure that the problem does not worsen.
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Be Cautious About the Foods Eaten
A small crack is not much of an issue with teeth, but a tiny crack can worsen quickly.
If you have a cracked tooth, you will need to be extremely cautious as to what foods you eat before seeing a dentist.
The following are recommendations to follow:
- Avoid eating hard foods. Foods such as peanuts or steak are hard or severe and can cause the tooth to crack further. Instead, you will want to eat softer foods so that the current crack does not worsen.
- Hot or cold foods may cause pain. When foods are too hot or too cold, they may cause pain or increase your sensitivity. Instead, try to eat meals at room temperature to keep pain under control.
It is also essential to avoid chewing on the cracked tooth. This will take some time to master, but avoiding using the crack tooth as much as possible is recommended.
A cracked or fractured tooth may become further damaged if you do not keep pressure off of the tooth until it is properly repaired.
Preparing for Your Dentist Visit
The only right way to have a cracked tooth fixed is to visit a dentist. A dentist will first assess the tooth and see what the extent of the damage is. You should expect to have an x-ray taken to see just how deep and concerning the crack is.
Once the x-rays are developed, you will have to undergo a procedure to correct the crack.
Note: If you have allowed the crack to persist, your tooth may have become infected, or it may need to be removed.
From the moment the crack occurs, you should immediately contact a dentist to have the break examined and repaired.
If you have not done this, the following steps may be drastically different.
Different procedures may be needed depending on the severity of the crack.
Filling or Bonding
Filling or bonding is done when the crack is minor. This may be a small chip that is left or a tiny break that can be corrected with no numbing agents or any advanced procedures needed.
Filling and bonding are done with an adhesive that is put on the tooth and dries.
This is much like a glue that is very durable and will strengthen the cracked area. Thankfully, this adhesive cannot be seen and will not affect your smile.
Caps or Crowns
When a more extensive area has cracked, filling and bonding will not be advised. This will call for a cap or crown that will go over the broken tooth to act as a protective barrier.
During this time, a portion of the tooth may be removed or filed down so that there will be no lasting issues seen with the cracking.
In the case where a tooth is cracked beyond saving, tooth extraction may be needed. This is only recommended in severe cases, and a dentist will always do his or her utmost to save your natural teeth.